CELEBRATIONS: Girls in Manchester went mental when they got their results [REUTERS]

With students now taking on more traditional subjects and no longer having second chances with January exams, the A*-E pass rate fell by 0.1% to 98%.

The number of pupils hitting top grades also fell with just one in four (26%) being awarded A* or A grades – down 0.3% from last year.

Michael Turner, director general of the Joint Council of Qualifications (JCQ), said: "Although the system has undergone change, this year's national results are very stable.

"As ever, students and teachers across the country have worked hard to achieve them and should be congratulated for their efforts and the fruits of their labours.

"It is possible that due to the removal of the January series some schools and colleges may experience volatility in their results, depending on how they have adapted to the changes.

"But it is important to remember that standards have been maintained and, despite the changes, are comparable with previous years.

Despite the drop in the pass rate, more people are going to university than ever before.

According to UCAS figures, 396,990 undergraduates had places confirmed at UK universities by midnight, up 3% from last year.

And 352,590 have won a place on their first choice of course, up 2% on 2013.

SHOCKER: One student in Cheltenham couldn't believe it [SWNS]

UCAS now believe that for the first time ever more than half a million students could be accepted at universities across the country.

Greg Clark, Minister for Universities and Science, said the figures are "tremendous news" for everyone.

He said: "The fact we have got record numbers of people going to university is a great day for the students, who worked very hard to get in, and a good day for the country as we want to see people realising their potential.

"It's a record number of people placed on results day and as the weeks ahead progress it is looking likely the 500,000 barrier will be broken.

"We want to remove the cap on aspiration and we want every young person, who can benefit from higher education, to be able to do so."

With so many people getting into their chosen universities, students all over the country have been celebrating.

And one student was the pick of the bunch.

CLEVER CLOGS: Tabitha is a top student - dropping just 14 marks in ALL her exams [REUTERS]

“Three came at once and three will leave together. We're all very excited.”

George Ellaby

Tabitha Jackson dropped just 14 marks out of 1600 across her four A-levels - earning her a place at her dream university, Cambridge.

The 18-year-old from Brighton, East Sussex, averaged 99% across her English, Spanish, Latin and French subjects and will now go on to study medieval and modern languages next year.

The Brighton College pupil said: "I am really chuffed, I couldn't have worked any harder for them.

"My personal motto has been 'fail to prepare, prepare to fail' and that keeps me going.

"It's just trying to be the best I can be and what motivates me is living a successful and fulfilling life."

TOP TRIO: Triplets Alex, George and Zoe are on their way to their first choice unis [ROSSPARRY]

Another success story saw triplets George, Alex and Zoe Ellaby over the moon after they all made it into their first choice unis.

The 18-year-olds who all opened their results together at Ashville College in Harrogate, North Yorks said they "couldn't have asked for much more".

George, who won a place at Manchester University studying International: Management with American Business Studies, said: "We're all really happy with what we've got.

"It's been a tense time waiting for the results so I think we're all just relieved it's finally here."

Alex will be heading to Durham University to study Economics with French next month.

While Zoe plans to study History at Newcastle University.

George added: "Our parents are really pleased. I think they will be sad to see us all go.

"Three came at once and three will leave together. We're all very excited."

MOTIVATION: Thomas before his weight loss programme [PA]

COMMITMENT: Thomas and his mum Jayne are ecstatic about him going to uni [PA]

Elsewhere, one student made it into his desired university after shedding 10 stone in 10 months.

Thomas Lowson, 19, beat the bullies and health problems by losing almost half of his body weight to give him the confidence to make it.

In January last year, he weighed in at 24 stone.

But after a successful weight loss programme, the teen dropped down to 14 stone.

His hard work also paid off on paper by bagging a B and two C grades, over-achieving on the C and D grades he needed to study English at Leeds Trinity University.

Celebrating this morning, he said: "The world's my oyster with results like this.

"Nerves have been setting in. It's been a case of pacing back and forth in my house from 4am this morning - I'm paranoid and pessimistic.

"But now I'm guaranteed to go to uni I'm over the moon, I'm speechless, just to have this moment and to get here. Everything's been worth it."

ACHIEVEMENT: Yusuf Tayara now has a chance to help solve the problems in Syria [CHRIS BULL]

But unlike many of the stories of people celebrating their results, Yusuf Tayara's is different.

The 18-year-old arrived in the UK after leaving war-torn Syria and took his A-Level exams over here.

Yusuf told of how he wanted to help his country resolve its civil war that has taken the lives of more than 100,000.

In his results, Yusuf achieved two A*, 3 As and a B.

He has now earned himself the opportunity to return to his country and help with the long-term economic development in the Middle East and conflict resolution.